Al Lewis had one of those voices and faces one can never forget. He was a staple in Hollywood and his career spanned 47 years.
I’ll never forget the first time I saw Al. It was in 1959 on the old Phil Silvers Show. I was 10 years old and this strange looking man came on our tiny black and white screen and made me laugh louder than Phil ever could. I have loved watching Al perform ever since.
Of course, most remember Al as the vampire patriarch Grandpa of the successful TV series The Munsters, which starred another Hollywood great Fred Gwynne.
Al did it all. Stage, big and small screen, music videos, radio, magic, sports talent scout, owner of the famous Greenwich Village Restaurant, politics, and even a little song and dance. He came from an era in show business where you had to be able to do it all just to get your foot in the door.
Al Lewis died on February 3rd of a heart condition. Goodbye Grandpa.